A potent training device created to help athletes – especially lacrosse players – build strength, flexibility and elasticity in the arms, hands, wrist and grip has just been re-introduced to the public.

Philadelphia Flyers superstar Claude Giroux uses The Stik, a training device that strengthens the hands, wrist and forearm and improves the grip as well as serving as a rehabilitative tool

The Stik, moderately priced in three different models, has been endorsed by one of the most respected high school lacrosse coaches in the nation as well as the trainer and strength and conditioning coach for the Philadelphia Flyers. The Stik has being used regularly by Flyers superstar Claude Giroux and former Flyer and now Los Angeles King Stanley Cup champion Mike Richards.

Using The Stik for only minutes a day can help lacrosse players build strength to improve the speed and of their shot, fend off players, improve their strength at the face-off X, tighten their cradle and strengthen their check.

The Stik is also being used for rehabilitation for high school athletes, and for people of all ages.

Haverford School coach John Nostrant, a former pro player for the Philadelphia Wings and standout at Washington College, said when he played he used an antiquated system to strengthen his arms and hands. Now he is happy to have the devices in his locker room at Haverford School.

“Hobart won 12 straight (Division III) national championship and all their guys used to put 5- or 10-pound weights tied to rope and a piece of wood,” said Nostrant, whose Fords won the 2011 national championship with an undefeated record. “For them it was part of the training routine. We emulated them. It helped you build your wrist and forearm – all things that help you shoot harder.

“This device comes full circle. It’s a great piece of equipment; you can set it to small tension for rehabilitation, or harder tension, depending on your needs. It helps the user snap their wrist to get a harder shot and it helps improve stick work.”

Nostrant, who is a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame, said the device can help players recover quicker and prevent injuries.

“For guys at the face-off, it’s absolutely a major help,” he said. “They get a ton of wrist injuries at that position and this allows them to strengthen their wrist and forearms and be proactive. I think another bonus is that it gives the player a little more confidence.”

Anyone in the family can benefit from using The Stik. If you are a carpenter, work at a computer, work as a cashier in a super market, automobile mechanic, do a lot of work in the garden, knit or crochet or work at any job in which you use your arms, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers or thumbs extensively the “Stik” may help you guard against the onset of repetitive stress syndrome injuries.

The Stik can also be used for those with arthritis by helping to strengthen muscles and keeping the joints more stable.